SITA history

SITA was a pioneer in international telecommunications for the air transport industry and has continued to operate at the forefront of technology. From its foundation as Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques, SITA’s remit as a member-based organization has been to transform the air transport community through technology, emphasizing cost-effectiveness, operational efficiency and cost reductions, as well as the sharing of new technology and innovation for the community’s benefit.

That remit is no different today. With around 400 air transport members worldwide, and a vision to enable 'Easy air travel every step of the way', SITA remains unique in addressing community requirements. Our customers include airlines, airports, aerospace companies, GDSs, air traffic management organizations, air freight businesses, governments and international organizations.

1949

Founded by 11 airlines

1950

First generation of world's largest network

1966

First computer opens in Frankfurt

1971

First satellite processor

1984

Launches cute and introduces vhf aircom

1992

Air-to-ground telephony

2000

World's first global electronic visa system

2003

ACQUIRED ELAND

2004

Champ Cargosystems setup

2005

Launched OnAir

2007

First in-flight mobile phone service launched

2008

Sita lab is setup to innovate collaboratively

2009

Sita commemorates 60 years

2010

Acquired WorkBridgeand com-net

2011

First air transport industry community cloud

2012

First ATI NFC solution via smartphones

2013

Awarded it company of the year

2014

Google glass and smartwatch pilots

2015

Created SITAONAIR

2016

IT COMPANY OF THE YEAR

2017

SECURE AIR TRAVEL

There will be more milestones to come, but only time can tell what they'll be!

1950

SITA opens its first telecommunications centre in Rome. Information is manually transmitted using perforated tape and teleprinters. This is the first generation of the world's largest network.

1966

The first computer adapted for message switching opens in Frankfurt.

1969

SITA's High Level Network is implemented. This leads to the development of the world's first worldwide packet switching network dedicated to business traffic. This is the second generation of the world's largest communications network.

1971

Interactive data exchange between terminals becomes available. SITA implements its first satellite processor. This vastly expands the number of locations to be equipped with computerized systems.

1991

The Mega-Transport Network becomes operational. This forms the fourth generation of the world's largest network.

1992

Air-to-ground telephony is introduced with SATELLITE AIRCOM. The first communications are initiated from on board an Air France and Lufthansa Boeing 747-400.

1995

SITA launches AeroNet as the intranet for the aerospace and air transport community.

1996

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology begins to be installed over the SITA network. It enables the transport of mixed voice and data traffic. This is the fifth generation of the world's largest network.

1999

SITA raises billions of dollars for the air transport industry with the public offering of Equant (now Orange Business Services).

2000

2001

SITA acquires the Equant Applications Services (EAS) business unit from Equant (now Orange Business Services). The unit is to operate as SITA Advanced Travel Solutions – and will continue to provide web-based applications and e-commerce integration services for the travel and transport sectors.

Aviareto is set up by international treaty. Aviareto, a joint venture with the Irish government to provide a global registry to safeguard lending rights, launches.

2003

SITA acquires the private company Eland Technologies, a provider of advanced solutions for the travel industry. Eland becomes part of SITA’s Passenger and Travel Solutions business unit.

2004

CHAMP Cargosystems is jointly set up by SITA Cargo (UK) Ltd with Cargolux. CHAMP is the world’s only company solely dedicated to the provision of IT solutions to the air cargo industry, with over 60 airline customers.

.aero launches. SITA sponsors the .aero Top Level Domain name on behalf of the aviation community. .aero is reserved exclusively for aviation.

2005

OnAir a joint venture with SITA and Airbus, launches. It is the leading pioneer of inflight communications. The service brings the use of mobile phones and other personal communications devices on board aircraft.

CertiPath, a SITA venture with Exostar and ARINC, launches. Certipath is established to design, implement and market a secure Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) bridge – enabling the use of “trusted” digital identities globally.

2006

With industry trends moving towards communications and IT convergence, SITA consolidates into a single organization. It focuses on providing global integrated communications and IT services to the air transport industry.

2007

Air France becomes the first airline in the world to offer an in-flight mobile phone service on international flights using OnAir.

2008

SITA Lab is set up to innovate collaboratively with customers for community benefit, in areas such as mobility and wireless.

SITA consolidates its leadership in border management by becoming the first IT provider worldwide to receive US government approval to transmit passenger data at check-in, based on its Advance Passenger Information Quick Query (AQQ) service.

SITA embarks on a major Service Desk Integration and the Next Generation Data Centers investment begins.

2009

SITA commemorates 60 years of working for the air transport industry.

SITA makes strategic agreements with Orange Business Services and Oracle.

2010

A new Command Center opens in Montreal.

SITA acquires WorkBridge and Com-Net as it strives towards the intelligent airport vision.

2011

A new Command Center opens in Singapore.

SITA members vote for a stronger SITA model with exclusive air transport industry focus.

First Air Transport Industry Community Cloud launched (ATI Cloud).

2012

SITA sets out 2020 Vision and Strategy, embracing the need to use IT to work collaboratively across the air transport industry.